Group Honors Leading Women In Local Gov't

 DENVER-- Hattiesburg, Miss., CouncilwomanDeborah Denard Delgado is the recipient of the 2010 Annual Leadership Award, presented by Women in Municipal Government (WIMG), a constituency group of the National League of Cities (NLC).  Delgado was honored today for her outstanding achievements as a local elected official and for her support of women at the local government level.

Elected to the Hattiesburg city council in 2001, Delgado has since founded the Historic Mobile Street Renaissance Festival, played an integral role in the development of Chain Park at Twin Forks, developed the urban overlay redevelopment district called Twin Forks Rising and established the Repair S.H.O.P, a nonprofit social services agency in Hattiesburg.  She has served as a member of NLC's Board of Directors and is currently on its Advisory Council. Delgado is also a member of the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials, an NLC constituency group and is a member of the Mississippi Municipal League.

The WIMG Leadership Award recognizes a female municipal official for improving a city or town's quality of life, particularly if her leadership serves as a specific mentoring model for future women leaders. The Award promotes increased representation of women in local government and is designed to encourage more women to run for elected office.

"The WIMG Leadership Award represents women elected officials throughout the nation who persevere and take action to establish programs in their communities that will make a difference," said Kay Senter, Councilmember, Morristown, Tenn., and past WIMG president.  "Deborah has met challenges with an 'I Can' attitude and a selfless desire to mentor and involve others.  Her accomplishments epitomize a dedication to service in her community. As Rosa Parks said, 'Memories of our lives, of our works, and our deeds will continue in others.'"

Other finalists for the award included Nancy Carter, Councilwoman, Charlotte, NC; Carolyn L. Floyd, Mayor, Kodiak, Alaska;Pauline Medrano, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem, Dallas, Texas; Tzeitel Paras Caracci, Mayor Pro Tem, Duarte, Calif. and Lyndia Thomas, Councilwoman, Forest Hill, Texas.

The award was presented today at the WIMG Leadership Award Luncheon. Civil rights activist, Shirley Sherrod, gave the keynote address. Additionally, M. Jacqueline Nytes, Councilor, Indianapolis and Marion County, Ind., and chair of the National Performance Management Advisory Commission spoke about the commission's recent work.

Sponsors of the 2010 WIMG Leadership Award include Wells Fargo, Comcast and ICMA-RC. 

The WIMG Leadership Award Honorary Co-Chairs are Mamye E. BaCote, Virginia House of Delegates, past WIMG president; and Kay Senter, Councilmember, Morristown, Tenn., past WIMG president.

Judges for the WIMG Leadership Award are Gloria Chavez, Mayor, Tijeras, NM; Laraine Davis, Vice President, Government and Industry Relations, Wells Fargo; Helen Kawagoe, City Clerk, Carson, Calif.;  Preston V. Lee, Jr., Senior Director, Corporate Relations and Housing Outreach, Freddie Mac; Cynthia McCollum, former NLC president; Juan Otero, Senior Director, External Affairs, Comcast Corporation; David Park, Financial Planning Manager, ICMA-RC; and Clinton Robinson, Associate Vice President for B&V Water, Black and Veatch Corporation.

WIMG is a constituency group of the National League of Cities (NLC).  It was formed in 1974 to serve as a forum for communication and networking among women municipal officials and their colleagues interested in addressing women's issues.  It strives to raise awareness about issues of concern to women and encourages women to seek public office in their communities. 

The National League of Cities is the nation's oldest and largest organization devoted to strengthening and promoting cities as centers of opportunity, leadership and governance. NLC is a resource and advocate for 19,000 cities, towns and villages, representing more than 218 million Americans.